, the Botswana National Archives){kind=link}
Botswana: As a precursor to the upcoming commemoration of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (WDAH), the Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS) held a press conference to deliberate with members of the media on issues relating to Audiovisual Heritage.
When addressing members of the 4th estate, BNARS Director Dineo Phuti said the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is commemorated on the 27th of October annually and, as such, aims to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual archives as an integral part of national identity.
She further revealed that WDAH seeks to raise awareness of the significance and need to preserve audiovisual archives.
Phuti further alluded that this year’s instalment of the WDAH commemoration will be held under the theme “Your Window to the World”.
Phuti added that the theme dictates the importance of safeguarding recorded sounds and visual imagery, which will enable us to recognise and appreciate our diverse culture and learn from them about ourselves and our history.”
For his part, Deputy Director- BNARS, Gopolang Maakwe, noted that they have been funded with P6 million to establish a National Audiovisual Centre, which is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the preservation of documented heritage for future generations.
During the comments and questions session, attendees decried the lax copyright legislation, which has led to the exploitation of content producers. Archives practitioners and the media alike expressed concern about the need to develop a water-tight Cinematography Act that will regulate national heritage site filming.
When contributing to the robust deliberations held between members of the fourth estate and Archival enthusiasts, Botswana Television General Manager Joel Thuto added that they have set up a division within the station to deal solely with intellectual property issues.
He further revealed that one of the unit’s primary objectives is to safeguard Audiovisual Heritage for consumption by future generations.